Wiltshire Council and its partners have been working throughout the weekend to clear fallen trees and debris, tackle flooding and ensure the most vulnerable in communities are supported following the latest wave of wet and windy weather.

People living in more than 5,000 homes experienced power losses following the storms on Friday and Saturday which resulted in 400 calls to Wiltshire Council’s highways team, most of which were to report fallen trees.

Power companies have been working to restore electricity to homes affected by the storm and Wiltshire Council's teams have been supporting and checking on vulnerable people who have been without power.

Communities are being asked to let the council’s adult social care teams know 0300 456 0100 if they are concerned about any vulnerable people who are affected by power cuts, flooding or any other issues following the bad weather.

Although Sunday was mostly dry, very high groundwater levels are still causing problems, and more rain is expected.

Wiltshire Council is monitoring at-risk areas and working with local people in case water levels rise significantly.

As a precaution, residents living in certain areas close to the River Nadder in Salisbury were warned that they could be at risk from flooding on Friday.

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Although the risk was low, partner organisations ensured local people were kept as informed as possible and sandbags were issued to properties. The river peaked on Friday evening with no major incidents but teams are continuing to monitor the situation.

This work is being coordinated by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) which prepares for, responds to and helps with the recovery from local major incidents and emergencies.

Motorists are being urged to drive safely and sensibly and several roads in the area are still flooded, including temporary lights at the A360 in Tilshead.

Every time the emergency services have to help motorists who have got into difficulties driving through the floods, this could delay other vital, lifesaving work.

Drivers should never move road closures, or attempt to drive through roads which have been closed due to flooding – both of these are a potential offence. Where roads are open, but have some minor flooding, drivers must slow down and drive according to the conditions.

Many houses are at danger of flooding by the bow wave from fast-moving vehicles, and pedestrians can be drenched with unclean water. This is also an offence and motorists could be prosecuted.